Pump



May 15, 1962 M. PELLADEAU PUMP 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1959 INVENTOR. MflflQ/CE' 544405414 BY M A TTOE/VEY- May 15, 1962 M. PELLADEAU PUMP Filed Jan. 14, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'IG. .12.

FIG. .18.

FIG. .11.

INVENTOR. 4440,9105 P5444054 3,034,445 PUMP Maurice Pelladeau, Paris, France, assignor of one-half to Standard Research Consultants, Incorporated, New York, N51.

Filed Jan. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 786,808 Claims priority, application France Jan. 14, 1958 11 Claims. (Cl. 103-121) The present invention relates to a rotary motor or other fluid displacement device such as a pump or compressor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rotary pump that includes a stationary and a rotary element, and a vane operatively associated with the rotary and stationary elements and cooperating therewith to define constantly varying suction and discharge chambers.

It is des rable to provide a rotary fluid displacement device that incorporates relatively few moving parts, yet produces a uniform pumping action free of pulsations. It is further desirable to utilize a rotary pump, compressor or the like, that is efficient in operation over a relatively wide range of rotational speeds and which will always deliver a predetermined quantity of fluid or gas depending on the rotational speed of the driving shaft and the capacity of the pumping chambers.

The present invention is designed to meet the above designated desirable characteristics for a rotary fluid displacement device and includes a housing in which a stationary member and a rotatable member are positioned. A pumping chmber is defined between the stationary member and movable member and they are formed with lateral faces which are provided with a specific configuration. Thus, one of the elements which defines one side of the pumping chamber is formed with a surface that is perpendicular with respmt to the axis of the chamber, while the other element defines a surface that is inclined with respect to the charnber axis. A vane element is also employed and is operatively associated with one of the elements, the opposite edge of the vane engaging the face of the other element. The vane, therefore, divides the pumping chamber into a suction space and a discharge space and upon relative movement of the elements, the suction and discharge spaces are continuously and alternately increased and decreased to produce a continuous and constant delivery pumping action, free of pulsations.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a rotary pump that is formed with continuously varying suction and discharge chambers.

Another object is to provide a rotary pump which includes a stationary element and a rotary element, one of the elements being movable with respect to the other and defining a pumping chamber therewith.

- Still another object is to provide a rotary pump which includes a pumping chamber in which a vane is positioned, the vane dividing the pumping chamber into continuously varying suction and discharge spaces.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a rotary pump having a cylindricfl pumping chamber limited laterally by twoplanes, one of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pumping chamber and the other of which is inclined with respect to the axis of the pumping chamber.

Stih another object is to provide a rotary fluid displac ment device in which the driving shaft is inclined with respect to the axis of the pumping chamber whereby relative movement of the pumping elements is produced to efiect a uniform pumping action.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant invention will be more fully apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

nited States Patent FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view of one form of the rotary pump embodied in the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3-3 in FIGURE 1 with the vane illustrated therein rotated from the position shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded vertical sectional view of the rotary pump shown in FIGURE 1 with the vane rotated 90 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 3 and showing the inclined face of the stationary member in which the inlet and discharge ports are located;

FIGURES 5 through 8 are diagrammatically illustrations of the position of the piston vane with respect to the inlet and discharge ports as the vane is rotated;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of the present invention;

FIGURE 10 is a sectional view taken along lines 1il10 in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of the piston vane of the modified form of the invention shown in FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the piston vane illustrated in FIGURE 11;-

FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of the cradle or support for the vane illustrated in FIGURES 11 and 12;

FIGURE 14 is a vertical sectional view taken along lines 141'4 of FIGURE 13;

FIGURE 15 is a perspective view of the vane mounted in its cradle;

FIGURE 16 is an elevational view, with the ports shown in section, of the driving hub on which the cradle and vane are mounted;

FIGURE 17 is an elevational view of the driving hub shown in FIGURE 16, viewed in the direction of the inclined face of the hub, or from the right as shown in FIGURE 16; and

FIGURE 18 is a sectional view showing a modification in which the device may be used as a clutch or brake.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG- URES l-4, one form of the invention is illustrated and includes a housing 10 having an opening 9 at one end which is closed by a front wall or plate 12 having a central opening 14 formed therein. An annular recess 16 is formed on the interior of the housing 10 adjacent the front Wall 12 and is adapted to receive the outer race of a ball hearing unit as will be hereinafter described. The rear wall 18 of the housing has an integral inwardly extending boss member 20. The member 20 is spaced radially from the inner wall of the housing 10 so as to provide an annular space or socket 22 therebetween. As shown more clearly in FIGURE 4, the boss member 20 is formed with an inclined inner face 24 which defines a wall of the pumping chamber. Extending outwardly from the rear wall 18 are spaced projections 26 and 28 in which are formed inlet and discharge passages 31 and 32, respectively. The inlet and discharge passages 39 and 32 extend axially and in parallel relation through the boss member 24 and terminate in rectangularly shaped ports 34 and 36, respectively, which, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, are formed in the surface of the inclined inner face 24.

Rotatably mounted within the housing 10 is rotary member generally indicated at 38 in FIGURE 4. The rotary member 38 includes a body portion 40 having a relatively straight inner face 41 formed thereon in which a laterally extending slot 42 is formed. An annular peripheral flange 44 forms part of the body 40 and extends into the annular space 22 between the inner wall'of the housing 10 and the boss member 20. A relatively flat piston vane 48 is pivotally mounted in the slot 42 on a pin 46 and the vane is spaced sufficiently forwardly of the rear edge 50 of the slot 42 to provide for pivotal movement of the vane. As shown in FIGURE 3, an annular recess 52 is formed in the inner surface of the rotary Thus, as the rotary member38 is rotated, the piston vane 48 will pivot within the slot 42 'as it follows the contour of the stationary inclined face 24.

In order to provide for rotation of the rotary member 38,' the body portion 40 has a drive shaft 56 formed as is now in communication with the discharge port 36, while the heretofore designated discharge space communicateswith the port 34. The discharge and delivery cycle of the fluid is then repeated as described. Therefore, it will be evident that the suction and discharge spaces are continuously and alt rnately varied in volume and that a uniform pumping action is produced, the momentary closing of the a part thereof, the outer end of which projects through. i

the opening 14 forn1ed in the end wall 12 of the housing 10. It is understood that any convenient coupling means may be employed to connect the shaft 56 to a suitable 1 drive means such as an electric motor, internal combustion engine, or other power source. 58 is seated on the drive shaft 56 to. provide'antifriction support between said shaft and the housing 10 where it engages the Wall of the recess 16.

As shown in FIGURE 1, a spring 60 is positioned in the annular space 22 and bears against the outer end of the annular flange 44 to cushion the contact of the vane 48 with the face 24. a

The piston vane 48 is formed of a thickness that is sufficient to completely close off andse'al the rectangularly shaped ports 34, 36. The vane divides the operating or pumping chamber, defined by the straight face 41, FIG- URE 4, and inclined face 24, into a suction and discharge space depending upon the position of the vane. Since the vane 48 continuously engages the inclined'face 24, relative movement between the rotary member 38 and the stationary member will cause the vane to oscillate in the reduced portion of the inclinedfface 24is arbitrarily disposed at the lowermost end of FIGURES 5-8 and is indicated at A. As shown in FIGURE 5, the thickness of the vane 48 exceeds that of the ports 34 and 36 and in this position, the delivery of the pump is zero. In oporation, however, the vane occupies this position only momentarily, so that there is no actual interruption of'the pumping action. Upon rotation of the rotary member 38, which carries'th'e vane 48 therewith, in the direction of the arrow B, theinlet port 34 and the outlet port 36 are both uncovered, as shown in FIGURE 6, and the vane 48 thus divides the pumping chamber, which occurs between the inclined face 24 and the straight face 41 (FIGURE 4) vane 48 sweepsthe inclined surface 24, it is pivoted Within the slot 42 and the suction space S, which is at a minimum in FIGURE 6, increases in volume until it is equal to the discharge space which is the condition shown in FIGURE 7. The dischargespace D which is at a maximum in FIGURE 6 decreases involume upon continued rotation of the vane and fluid is constantly and uniformly discharged through the port 36, while the increasing volume of the'suction space S causes fluid to be pumped thereto through the inlet port 34. When the vane 48 reaches the position shown in FIGURE 8, the discharge space D has been decreased to a minimum and the suction A bearing assembly ports having no tangible effect on the pumping action.

It will be understood, of course, that variations in flow may be achieved by varying the angle of the inclined face 24 with respect to the axis of the pumping chamber.

Referring now to FIGURES 9 through 16, a modified form of the invention is illustrated and includes a housing 62 that is formed with an annular flange 64 and an end wall 66. 'A central boss member 68 .isv fitted into the housing and extends through the opening or socket 66a. The central member 68 is formed With an annular flange 70 which abuts against the inner surface of theend wall 66 and the flange is secured thereto by a plurality of spaced bolts 72, only one of which is shown. The central member 68 is formed with a relatively straight inner face 74 which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the housing 62 and in which a rectangularly shaped inlet port 76 and a similarly shaped outlet port 78 are formed.

into a suctionspace S and a discharge space D. As the i The inlet port 76 is somewhat larger than the outlet port 78, as shown in FIGURE 10, and the ports communicate with inlet and discharge passages 80, 82, respectively, which as shown in FIGURES 9 and 10 extend axially through the central member 68 and in parallel relation to each other.

Secured'to the housing 62 is a cover generally indicated at 84, which includes' a flange 90, a central portion 86, and an end or hearing portion 88.- The flange engages the flange 64 and is secured thereto by a plurality of bolts 92. The end portion 88 is formed with a central opening 33 therein, the axis of which is inclined with respect to the axis of the housing 62 and of the member 68. The central opening 93 supports therein 'a bearing assembly 94 and a bushing 96 that threadably engages an outer threaded portion 98 of the central opening. The bushing 96 is secured in position by a set screw 100 that extends through the end portion 88. The axes of the bushing 96 and bearing assembly 94 are also inclined and receive an inclined shaft 102 in bearing relation therewith, the shaft 102 being intended for connection to a suitable driving means such as an electric motor, internal combustion engine, or'other source of power.

Formed on the inner end of the shaft 102 is a flange 104 to which a disc 106 is secured. The disc 106 engages a friction ring 108 carried by the cover 84 and aids in sealing the shaft 102 in the assembled position. Joined to the flange 104, through a reduced neck portion 110, is a semi-spherical hub 112, having a face 113 which is inclined with respect to the horizontal axis of the housing 62 and face 74 of central member 68. As shown in FIG- URES 9, l6 and 17, the hub 112 has a socket 114 a ranged diametrically across its face to receive a cradle or support 115, the cradle 115 receiving and supporting a vane 116 therein. Mounted on the semi-spherical hub 112 for rotation therewith is a gland member 118 that is formed with a concave inner surface for receiving the spherically shaped I hub 112. The gland member 118 is formed with an space Sis now at a maximum. When the ports 34 and 36 are again covered by the vane 48, delivery is momentarily zero and upon uncovering of the ports, the fiuid delivered to the heretofore designated suction space S opening 120 that is coaxial with the axis of the central member 68 so that rotation of the inclined hub 1 12 with the gland 118 will result in a relative displacement of the hub 112 with respect to the hub housing 118; Thread- 'ably secured to the gland member118 is a ring bearing peripheral member 122 which carries a bearing assembly 124 on the outer surface thereof, the ring 122'also engaging the outer ends of the vane 116 and defining the circumferential path thereof as well as the circumferential boundary of the pumping chamber. This ring has an internal shoulder 122a against which the vane is seated, as will be described. A flanged anti-friction bushing 126 Maw;

provides a bearing surface between the rotating ring 122 and the stationary member 68. Thus, in operation the hub 112, vane 116, gland 118, bearing ring 122 and bushing 126 all rotate as a unit with the shaft 102 and relative to the fixed central member 68.

As shown in FIGURE 9, the vane 116 constantly engages the inner plane, perpendicular face 74 and is prevented from any pivotal movement by the engagement thereof with the internal shoulder 122a of the ring 122 and gland 11-8. Thus, as the inclined shaft 102 and hub 112 rotate, there is relative displacement between the cradle 115 and vane 116 which, together with the walls of the pumping chamber, results in an alternately increasing and decreasing volume of the suction and discharge spaces of the pumping chamber as will be described.

Referring now to FIGURES 11 through 15, the vane cradle 115 and vane 116 are illustrated in more detail and as shown in FIGURES 11 and 12, the vane 116 is substantially bar shaped, being formed with slightly contoured end faces 116a outwardly flared or feathered tongues 128, the face 116a bearing against the face 74 of the central member 68 with sutficient pressure to form a seal along the line of contact. Secured to the opposite side of the vane 116 as seen in FIGURE 11 and adapted to be received within the vane cradle 115 is an arcuate rocker member 130. The cradle 115 is formed with a laterally extending slot 132, FIGURE 15, which has a curved configuration to receive the arcuate rocker member 130. Also formed in the cradle 115 and extending longitudinally thereof are slots 134 and 136, one each of which is arranged on opposite sides of the curved slot 132. The slots 134 and 136 are formed with inclined bottom surfaces 138. The four spaced surfaces of the cradle 115 that define the slots 132, 134 and 136 are also formed with inclined portions 140 which are adapted to engage the straight face 74 as the support 115 is rocked during rotation of the hub 112. When the vane 116 is assembled in the cradle 115, the rocker 130 engages the curved slot 132 while the vane 116 is disposed within the slots 134, 136. i

It will thus be evident that the pumping chamber, which communicates with the inlet and outlet ports 76 and 78, is defined laterally by the straight face 74 and the inclined face 113 of the hub 112, and circumferentially by the inner annular wall 122b of bearing ring 122. Since the vane 116 continuously engages the fixed straight face 74, a suction and discharge space are defined on the sides of the vane that communicate with inlet and exhaust ports 76 and 78, respectively.

During the operation of the device operating fluid may filter into the cradle 115 and below the vane 116, thereby retarding the rotation of the vane. In order to relieve any pressure exerted by this entrapped fluid, a passage 142 is provided in the body of the cradle 115 and, as shown in FIGURE 14, extends diagonally from a point adjacent the inclined bottom surfaces 138 to an outlet 144 at the outer upper surfaces of the cradle 115.

The pass-age 144 is provided in the boss member 68 for the purpose of forming a path between the chamber 146 and exhaust passage 76 so that fluid which may seep into the chamber 146 may be exhausted. The bearing may be the packed and sealed or self-lubricating type, not requiring additional lubrication.

Lubrication of the vane 116 is also provided by forming a notch 15% in the surface of the straight face 74 adjacent the exhaust port 78 (FIGURE The fluid being pumped accumulates in the notch 150 and thereby assures lubrication of the vane 116 which is periodically wiped across the notch as the hub 112 and vane 116 are rotated. It is also desirable to restrict the exhaust port 78 somewhat and for this purpose it is formed slightly smaller than the inlet port 76. It is also contemplated to tilt the position of the exhaust opening 78 with respect to the horizontal to prevent abrupt closing thereof as the vane 116 moves over it.

In operation, the shaft 102 is driven to rotate the hub 1'12 and vane 116 carried thereby. The vane 116 continuously engages the face 74 and due to the inclination of the face 113 formed on the hub 112, with respect to the vane 116, the cradle 115 is alternately rocked back and forth on the inclined surface 138 pivoting onthe rocker 130. The pumping chamber which is defined laterally by the straight face 74 and the inclined face 113 of the hub 112 and circumferentially by the ring 122, is thus divided into suction and discharge spaces by the vane 116, and as the vane 116 sweeps the face 74, the suction and discharge spaces which communicate with the inlet and exhaust ports 76, 78 are continuously and alternately varied in volume, as described with respect to FIGURES 58. The fluid is therefore uniformly pumped into and out of the pumping chamber at a constant flow and free of pulsations.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and design without departing from the spirit of the invention and therefore the invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings and described in the specification, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A rotary pump comprising a separable housing having a first chamber therein, a first member fixed with respect to said housing and having a face extending therein that is perpendicular with respect to the major axis of said first member and having inlet and exhaust passages therethrough extending along said axis; a second member rotatable with respect to said housing extending into said chamber and having a face that is inclined with respect to said major axis, said face being positioned contiguous to but spaced from said perpendicular face; said second member having a slot in its inclined face, a piston vane pivotally secured to sm'd rotatable member and rockable in said slot and having its free outer edge in wiping relationship with said face of Said first fixed member, a peripheral member carried by one of said members and enclosing both said faces and said vane and forming a pumping chamber therewith between said faces, a bearing in said first chamber supporting said peripheral memher in said housing, said vane dividing said pumping chamber into suction and discharge spaces that communicate with said inlet and exhaust passages, respectively; said vane rocking on its pivot and continuously wiping across said perpendicular face as said second member rotates, whereby the volume of said suction and discharge spaces is continuously and alternately varied from a maximum to a minimum to provide a uniform pumping action free of pulsations, and means connecting said first chamber with said inlet passage for exhausting lubricant seepage from said first chamber.

2. A rotary pump according to claim 1, in which said peripheral member is carried by the rotating member and is rotatably supported on the fixed member.

3. A rotary pump according to claim 1, in which a cradle member is seated in said slot, said cradle having a longitudinal slot and a median transverse slot, said longitudinal slot having bottom faces extending in oppositely inclined planes from said transverse slot, and said vane having laterally extending journals seated in said longitudinal slot of said cradle, said journal members being supported in said transverse slot, whereby said vane may pivot freely on said journals as it is rotated in said pumping chamber.

4. A rotary pump according to claim 1, in which the Wiping edge of the vane is feathered on each side.

5. A rotary pump comprising a separable housing having an annular socket therein at one end, a boss extending into said housing and defining one Wall of the said socket, said boss being fixed to said housing and having a plane face within the housing, a rotary member extending from the other end of the housing and having a peripheral annular portion extending into said socket, said rotary member having a plane face contiguous to but spaced from the plane face of said boss, one of said faces being inclined with respect to the other, said rotary member having'a slot in its inclined face, a vane pivoted thereto so as to be rock-able in said slot, said peripheral portion enclosin g'sfaid spaced plane faces and defining a pumping chamber therewith, said vane rotating with said rotary member, the free edge of said vane con- 'tinuouslywiping across the face ofthe other member and dividing said chamber into suction and discharge spaces;

suction and discharge ports in said boss communicating with said suction and discharge spaces, suction and dis-' charge passages in said boss member leading from said member and said housing.

7. A rotary pump comprising a separable housing, a first member positioned in said housing and fixed therein,

a second member positioned in said housing in spaced relation with respect to said first member and rotatable with respect thereto, said members having faces opposed to one another and a peripheral member enclosing said ,faces, the space between the opposing faces of said first and second members and enclosed by said peripheral member defining a pumping chamber, one of said faces being. perpendicular with respect to the horizontal axis of said housing and the other of said faces being inclined with respect to said horizontal axis, said rotatable member having a slot in its face, a vane pivotally mounted on said rotatable member and rockable in said slot, said vane being disposed between said first and second members and dividing said pumping chamber into suction and discharge spaces, suction and discharge passages formed in said first member axially with respect thereto and in parallel relation with respect to each other, said suction and discharge passages communicating with said suction and discharge spaces respectively, means for rotating said second member with respect to said first member, said vane being continuously rotated by said rotatable member and continuously Wiping across the face of said first member during the rotary movement whereby the volume of said suction and discharge spaces is continuously and alternately varied from a maximum to a minimum to provide a uniform pumping action free of pulsations.

8. In a rotary pump, a separable housing, a first member positioned in said housing and fixed therein, said first member having a face that is perpendicular with respect to the major axis of said member, said member having axially extending inlet and exhaust passages formed 5 therein, a second member rotatably positioned in said housing and having a face that is inclined with respect to said face of said first member, said inclined face being spaced from said perpendicular face,,a third member enclosing said first and second members and defining a pumping chamber therewith, a bearing supporting said third member in said housing, said rotatable member having a slot in its inclined face, and a piston vane pivotally secured in said slot and rotatable with said rotatable member, the free outer edge of said piston vane engaging and wiping over said perpendicular face and dividing said pumping chamber into suction and discharge spaces that communicate with said inlet and exhaust passages respectively, said passages being parallel to the'rotation axis of said vane and lying 180 apart on said axis, said piston vane being adapted to rock on its 3 pivot and continuously wipe across said perpendicular face as said second member rotates, whereby the volume of said suction and discharge spaces is continuously and alternately varied from a maximum to a minimum to provide a uniform pumping action free of pulsations.

9. In a rotary pump as set forth in claim 8, said second member including a spherically shaped hub formed with said inclined face, a gland member in frictional engagement with said hub, said third member being seated on said gland member and being rotatablewith said hub.

110. In a rotary pump as set forth in claim 8, radial passage means formed in said first member and communicating with said exhaust passage andan annular chamber communicating with said-radial passagemeans,

5 excess fluid being exhausted from said annular chamber by said radial passage means.

11. In a rotarypump as set forth in claim 8, a notch formed in said perpendicular face and communicating with said exhaust passage, the pumping medium accumulating in said notch and lubricating said piston vane as it sweeps over said perpendicular face.

ReferencesCited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 178,349. Tower June 6, 1876 790,264 Roseland May 16, 1905 806,297 Sheahan Dec; 5, 1905 1,392,390 Anderson 'Oct. 4,1921 1,965,976 Kempthorne July 10, 1934 1,968,175 Schnurle et al. July 13, 1934 2,016,605 Kempthorne Oct. 8, 1935 2,040,178 Kempthorne May 12, 1936 2,152,498 Quiroz Mar. 28, 1939 2,242,058 Cuny May 13, 1941 2,353,780 Neuland 1 July 18, 1944 2,708,413 Loewen May 17, 1955 2,828,695 Marshall 1 Apr. 1, 1958 2,832,198 Pichon Apr; 29, 1958 2,906,209 Case Sept. 29, 1959 2,908,224 Houser Oct. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 70,827 Sweden Dec. 16, 1930 267,509 Great Britain Apr. 19, 1928 936,922 France Feb. 23, 1948 

